The Philippine Navy has formally inducted its second Miguel Malvar-class frigate, the BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07), at the Naval Operating Base Subic in Zambales.
The ship, built by South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, is part of a two-frigate program funded under a 28-billion-peso ($474.7 million) contract signed in 2021 as Manila moves to strengthen its presence in the West Philippine Sea.
Cmdr. John Percy Alcos, the ship’s commanding officer, will lead Diego Silang as it enters battle-readiness checks before joining patrol missions and joint exercises under the Armed Forces’ Strategic Command.
Diego Silang’s arrival comes after the commissioning of its sister ship, the BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), last May.
“This warship will add to the capital ships of the [Philippine Navy] that are capable of patrolling all the way up to our EEZ and even beyond,” Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said.
“It will be the most modern warship that we will have.”
Defense Undersecretary Salvador Melchor Mison Jr. also commented on Diego Silang’s adoption, saying that the milestone “sends a clear message that the Philippines will continue to invest in programs that strengthen maritime domain awareness, enhance deterrence, and improve our ability to uphold the rule of law.”
Expanding Fleet
Currently, the Philippines is engaged with Hyundai for the development of six Rajah-Sulayman-class offshore patrol vessels scheduled to begin arriving next year.
The Southeast Asian country is also collaborating with Indonesia’s state-owned shipyard PT PAL for two landing dock platforms, both now under construction.
During the Zubic ceremony, Trinidad verified that procurement discussions are ongoing for two additional Malvar-class frigates, potentially bringing the navy’s incoming modern vessel count to 10.
The Malvar Frigate
Manila’s Miguel Malvar-class ship spans 118 meters (387 feet) in length and has a 15-meter (49-foot) beam. It has space for small rigid-hull inflatable boats, a flight deck, and a hangar for a 12-ton (10,886-kilogram) maritime helicopter.
The vessel is equipped with a 76-millimeter naval autocannon, a 35-millimeter close-in weapon, 12.7-millimeter heavy machine guns, lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes, surface-to-air missiles, and surface-to-surface anti-ship missiles.
Its lethality is assisted by electronic warfare countermeasures, an advanced communication suite, and mortar decoy launchers, leveling capability against evolving naval threats.
The frigate is fitted with four MTU-STX diesel engines for an output of approximately 9,900 horsepower each for a top speed of 25 knots (29 miles/46 kilometers per hour), a range of 4,500 nautical miles (5,179 miles/8,334 km), and operational endurance of up to 20 days.
